Unveiling the Unsettling Truth: A Bleak Report Exposes Alarming Human Rights Realities in Morocco -Dossier

BY: Hana Saada

ALGIERS – The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (MAHR) has released a sobering black report that casts a spotlight on the disturbing state of human rights in Morocco during the year 2022. The report underscores a concerning trend of violations and attacks on various rights and freedoms, attributing this dire situation to a pattern of government practices that prioritize security concerns and authoritarianism over fundamental human rights.

In its comprehensive annual report, MAHR emphasizes that the year 2022 did not witness any significant positive developments in the realm of human rights, even after the conclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic. This grim reality serves as evidence that the deteriorating human rights landscape in the nation is not a consequence of temporary circumstances, but rather a result of deliberate political choices rooted in a skewed emphasis on security and authoritarianism.

The report condemns the series of violations that transpired throughout 2022, asserting that they can be traced back to the state’s persistent assault on public freedoms. This attack, which commenced in 2014, has systematically curtailed democratic norms and eroded the hard-won social, economic, and cultural gains achieved by the country. The association suggests that these gains have been traded for an economic model marked by hybrid liberalism, rentier economy practices, and rampant corruption.

At the heart of the report lies the alarming revelation of targeted suppression, arrests, and trials aimed at silencing critical voices and curbing protests. The report asserts that these measures are enacted to quell demands for dignity, freedom, and better living conditions. Furthermore, the report claims that the Moroccan government has exhibited a calculated disregard for the rule of law, permitting violations with impunity and evading accountability.

Of particular concern, the report delves into violations of the right to life. Instances of negligence in hospitals, failure to adhere to safety standards in workplaces, and a lack of accountability within law enforcement agencies have resulted in the loss of lives in various circumstances. The report also highlights the deaths of those attempting to reach safer shores, as well as individuals succumbing to social, psychological, and economic pressures.

Political detention has seen an alarming uptick, with numerous political and opinion detainees languishing in Moroccan prisons. The association’s unwavering dedication to uncovering truths led them to meticulously track the cases of these detainees, most notably the harrowing ordeal of the nine Hirak Al-Rif prisoners, each of whom unjustly met with severe sentences ranging from twenty to six years. Further shedding light on the issue, the report details the plight of 20 detainees hailing from Western Sahara, ensnared in the intricate web of the “Kadim Izik” camp saga. Among them, eight souls were condemned to a lifetime behind bars, while four faced three decades of imprisonment, five faced twenty-five-year sentences, two endured two decades of captivity, and one, tragically, faced a fifteen-year sentence. The stark revelation that the tally of political detainees and prisoners of conscience in the Kingdom surged to approximately 175 throughout 2022 stands as a stark testament to the urgency of addressing this disconcerting trajectory.

The disturbing reality laid bare in the torture file is that the Makhzen’s reprehensible practices persist unabated, with a continued and appalling disregard for human rights. The comprehensive report paints a harrowing picture of the extent to which torture and other forms of heinous treatment are employed. The documented cases, such as that of Moroccan citizen Yassin El-Chibli, whose life was tragically cut short due to torture within a police station, and the disgraceful treatment inflicted upon lawyer Mohamed Ziane during his arrest in Rabat, exemplify the depths of cruelty and inhumanity that persist. Shockingly, the report exposes a distressing pattern of brutality, revealing over 25 instances where peaceful protests were met with excessive force, repression, and the unspeakable horrors of physical and verbal abuse, as well as the deeply disturbing occurrence of sexual harassment aimed at both male and female activists who dared to raise their voices against injustice.

Freedom of association has also been severely undermined, as the report notes how government officials in the Ministry of Interior have repeatedly abused their power. They have rejected applications for new and renewed associations, disregarded judicial rulings, and exhibited contempt for the rule of law, thereby eroding the very principles that should uphold society’s shared values.

Undermining Democracy: Exploiting the Judiciary to Suppress Freedom of Choice

During the course of the year 2022, the issue of harnessing the judiciary to punish free votes became a concerning trend within the legal and human rights landscape. This troubling phenomenon was notably witnessed in cases involving peaceful assembly and protest, where the association diligently documented and raised awareness about the worrisome developments. The association meticulously detailed instances where peaceful demonstrations, gatherings, and vigils were preemptively prevented or outright banned. What was particularly distressing was the consistent pattern of employing excessive force, violence, and repression to dissolve these forms of peaceful protest, in clear defiance of the fundamental principles of necessity and proportionality that should guide law enforcement actions. Adding to this alarming situation were numerous instances of arbitrary arrests, with some individuals being subjected to unjust prosecutions and subsequent judicial trials that culminated in convictions. Such verdicts often carried sentences ranging from suspended imprisonment to enforceable jail time coupled with hefty fines, painting a bleak picture of the erosion of civil liberties.

One disconcerting focal point of the association’s report was the concerted efforts of Moroccan authorities to stifle dissent and curtail freedom of expression, particularly in the digital realm. In a modern age where social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and others have become avenues for critical voices to be heard, the authorities resorted to targeting journalists, bloggers, human rights advocates, and ordinary citizens who dared to voice their opinions on such platforms. The act of expressing dissenting views, which is inherently a cornerstone of democratic societies, was met with a heavy-handed response. Arrests, prosecutions, imprisonment, and substantial fines were inflicted upon those who engaged in online expression deemed critical of the status quo. This highlighted a blatant disregard for the universal right to freedom of expression and exposed a concerning trend of silencing voices that questioned or criticized government actions.

Amidst these troubling developments, the concept of a fair trial, a fundamental safeguard designed to protect all other basic rights and freedoms, was also fundamentally undermined. The year 2022 saw an alarming continuation of remote trial technology being employed within the criminal justice system. While this innovation was meant to facilitate legal proceedings, its application led to a denial of justice for countless detainees. The sheer volume of cases being handled remotely hindered detainees’ access to a fair trial process, denying them the essential components of redress, proper information, and a level playing field. The principles that underpin a fair trial, such as public transparency, equality in legal representation, and the right to a defense, were often compromised, particularly for those who lacked the means, resources, and training to effectively navigate this virtual legal landscape.

Moreover, the association highlighted that the misuse of the judicial system extended beyond the curbing of digital expression to encompass the trial of activists, journalists, bloggers, and those exercising their right to protest. The judiciary was weaponized to suppress critical voices and expressions of dissent. Rather than upholding justice and impartiality, the judicial process seemed to be manipulated to validate violations and abuses committed during arrests and investigations. This distortion of the legal process struck at the very heart of the presumption of innocence, rendering the defenses and appeals mounted by the accused virtually ineffective. In essence, the authorities’ strategic use of the judiciary turned it into an instrument of punishment, rendering the legitimacy and integrity of the entire legal system questionable.

Mass Violations against Refugees and Immigrants

 The year 2022 brought to light a harrowing series of mass violations against refugees and immigrants in Morocco, revealing a distressing disregard for human rights and the sanctity of life. The plight of those seeking asylum and a better life was met with tragedy as their fundamental rights were flouted. The right to movement and protection against human trafficking networks, which should have been upheld, were shamefully ignored. The consequences were devastating, as dozens of immigrants and asylum seekers paid the ultimate price for the failure to respect their rights, a stark violation of their right to life itself.

One of the most alarming instances of these violations occurred at the borders between Nador and Melilla on June 24, 2022, a day that would come to be known as Black Friday. During this tragedy, at least 27 asylum seekers lost their lives, while 87 others were apprehended and subjected to a flawed judicial process marred by a lack of fair trial conditions. Shockingly, 76 individuals remain unaccounted for, adding to the gravity of the situation. Calls for an international investigation into this incident have grown louder, necessitated by the apparent complicity of both Moroccan and Spanish authorities and their inadequate response. Seeking justice for the victims and holding those responsible accountable has become paramount, especially as there is evidence of the European Union indirectly endorsing Morocco’s role as a gendarmerie to curb migration, even at the expense of innocent lives.

The distressing reality of the Moroccan migration landscape is further underscored by the increasing flow of Moroccan youth towards Europe in search of a brighter future. Despite the perilous nature of migration routes, particularly those across the Mediterranean Sea and to the Canary Islands, many still risk their lives in pursuit of better opportunities. Tragically, the International Organization for Migration reported that Morocco ranked among the top ten countries globally in terms of citizens who died while attempting the perilous journey to “European Paradise.” Since 2014, the deaths of 702 Moroccans on migration routes have been documented, but this number only accounts for those identified, leaving a significant portion of unidentified victims. Equally disheartening is the annual report from the Spanish organization Caminando Fronteras, which documented the deaths of 2,390 immigrants in 2022 alone during their quest to migrate to Spain. Within this grim toll, the route to the Canary Islands proved to be the deadliest, claiming the lives of 1,784 migrants in the same year.

Regarding the economic and social rights of immigrants and asylum seekers, the Moroccan Association for Human Rights has brought to light a concerning reality. Despite the adoption of a national strategy on migration and asylum in 2014, aimed at promoting the integration of migrants and refugees while granting them equal access to public services alongside Moroccan citizens, the implementation of this strategy has fallen short of expectations. Over nearly a decade, the strategy’s progress has been sluggish, its scope limited, and its effectiveness questionable. Instead of translating the strategy’s ambitions into tangible improvements, it appears that the Moroccan state has primarily utilized it as a tool for international advocacy, failing to substantively uphold the rights promised to immigrants and asylum seekers.

The experiences of immigrants and asylum seekers across various regions in Morocco starkly contradict the claims of effective implementation. Perhaps the most poignant illustration of this dissonance can be found in the plight of sub-Saharan African migrants and asylum seekers residing at the Ouled Ziane road station in Casablanca. These individuals find themselves dwelling in makeshift plastic tents due to the lack of viable housing options available to them. Consequently, they often endure the onslaught of various illnesses due to the absence of adequate healthcare facilities. Moreover, they are subjected to dehumanizing conditions that compel them to carry out their basic biological functions in suboptimal circumstances, further exposing them to indignity and health risks. Discrimination based on skin color even denies them the basic right to bathe in public facilities. This glaring disparity between the envisaged rights and the harsh reality faced by immigrants and asylum seekers underscores the urgency of reform and effective implementation of Morocco’s migration and asylum strategy.